About Exercise IBSAMAR IX:
- It is a joint multinational maritime exercise conducted between Indian, Brazilian, and South African Navy.
- IBSAMAR has been conducted biennially since 2008 under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) framework.
- Theme: The theme of IBSAMAR IX is Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.
- It aims to promote collective maritime security and preparedness to address maritime challenges.
- Participating Warships and Aircraft: The Indian Navy is participating with INS Tarkash, accompanied by an integral Chetak helicopter.
- The exercise will cover a broad spectrum of maritime operations, including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, maritime interdiction, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, damage control and firefighting.
Key facts about INS Tarkash:
- It is a frontline guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
- It is the second of three Talwar-class guided missile frigates.
- It is designed and built in Russia, the Talwar-class guided missile frigates are modified version of the Krivak III-class frigate.
- It was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
- It was commissioned into Indian Navy service in 2012 at Kaliningrad.
- Speed: With maximum speed in excess of 30 knots, a range of 4,500 miles or 30 days.
